Sun Devils’ circle gets the job done on Friday

(Photo: Joshua Eaton/WCSN)

TEMPE — With Baylor senior infielder Presleigh Pilon on first base in the top of the first inning, junior outfielder Brooklyn Carter sent a short ground ball to the left side of the infield. As ASU freshman infielder Takyla Davis got control of the ball, Pilon was already most of the way to second base. Davis thought she could still get the lead runner; However, she did not make any throw after realizing both runners were at their base.

A ball would not leave the infield the rest of the way, with the remainder of the first frame including three ground balls, two stolen bases and a bunt. Despite the soft contact, Baylor took the field with an early 2-0 lead.

Luckily for the Sun Devils, they stayed strong in the circle and went the rest of the night with no damage.

The Arizona State Sun Devils (33-15, 13-7 Big 12 Conference) took the series win against the Baylor Bears (21-23, 7-10 Big 12) with a 4-2 victory on Friday.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Meika Lauppe got her first appearance since Tuesday when she threw a complete game in a 4-0 loss to the Grand Canyon University Lopes.

She was able to create minimal contact throughout the game on Friday, only allowing one earned run off of three hits. Her five complete innings resulted in her ninth win on the season.

“I don’t think our mindset changed at all,” Lauppe said. “(The defense) told me, ‘Hey, I have you next play,’ and they made some incredible plays on the left side. I knew they’d get me every time.”

Head coach Megan Bartlett trusted senior right-handed pitcher Kenzie Brown to close out the final two innings. Brown entered the circle with a quick turnaround in appearances after tossing a complete game shutout on Thursday.

Her recent appearance did not seem to bother her, as she recorded four of her six outs with strikeouts swinging against Baylor batters. Brown allowed a single to left field in the seventh inning, which assisted her in tallying her fourth save of the year.

With an opportunity to clinch a bye in the Big 12 Tournament this weekend, the Sun Devils will continue to need their rotation to step up as they enter the postseason.

“We’ve got two phenomenal pitchers,” Bartlett said. “They are super tough to beat. They both go up-down and have a good changeup. It’s a tough task to prepare for them because if it’s not a team with a high level of ability, there’s gonna be a hole in the swing, and we’ve got the tools to find it constantly. … Super happy with Kenz and Meika. I think they’re doing a phenomenal job.”